Eagles at Dawn

I left the house early this morning and drove to Prairie du Sac, which is along the Wisconsin River. At this time of the year most of the waterways in the state have frozen over. Scores of Bald Eagles gather at places like this town, where dam spillways have created open water. The birds gather here to feed on fish in the mornings.

I expected to see a few birds and was really surprised at just how many I actually saw! There were well over twenty raptors at one viewing spot alone! The majority of birds were very far, so my 70-200mm, even with a 1/4x extender, was not the best lens. Oh to have an extra $13K for a 600mm lens! I can't even imagine...



I'm also going to try and learn more about The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, the organization that monitors the birds. I'd bet there are some interesting folks involved.

Hello Snow!

Up to about a week ago the weather here has been extremely mild. Little snow fell for most of the winter and a lot of people really commented on dry it's been. As I said, that was until this week. Finally we're getting some decent snow fall!

Instead of us driving in separately, Teri drops off Freja goes to work, I pick up Freja go home, I like to drive them both in. I feel better doing the driving in the Jeep. It means having time to kill in Madison but I've been using it well. First I found a great coffee shop called The Froth House. I can enjoy a good cup-o-joe while I plan my menu, shopping list, etc..



Our commute is pretty easy too. Country highways, with nice views, for a good portion of it and then literally a straight shot to where Teri works and Freja goes to school. Here's a map showing part of our route. Almost 7 miles, no turns, just motoring along. This never happens in Pittsburgh! You're lucky to find a straight MILE in PA! LOL


View Larger Map

Anyway, after a lot of research on snowshoes I surprised my family with new gear. We'd never done it before so Saturday we headed to our local park for some practice. It was nice, though Freja seemed to enjoy being towed on her sled more than anything. I guess that's to be expected! Teri & I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get a daytime sitter so we can go exploring!

Catching Up

Over TWO months have gone by since my last post. I've written so many times in my head, just not online. I'm going to try to do some catching up. In a nutshell, most of November was spent just working on the old house. I didn't do a whole lot other than try to complete the renovations. By the beginning of December I was in Mount Horeb with my family. Most of that month was spent simply adjusting to the new surroundings.

Right away one of the first things I fell in love with is the shear abundance of "natural" areas! There are conservancies, parks and reserves literally EVERYWHERE around us! We can be in a quiet setting in a matter of minutes! I've even found time to actually go and just walk around by myself with my camera.



Another amazing realization, of which I've not photographed yet, is the access to a variety of quality foods. As the cook in the family I spent almost all of December just driving around to shops, sampling the wares. I've gained some weight! It's a combo of the cheeses, meats and beer! I have to admit that the quality of the foods I am finding here far surpass what was available in Greensburg. The only area I've found somewhat lacking is (naturally) seafood. While the local seafood suppliers are great they just aren't Wholey's. I've even found wild game here! I cannot WAIT to get into my new kitchen! Spring cannot get here soon enough. (For those who don't know, we're renting until April when we move into our new house.)

And then there's the beer! Amazing variety and flavor!

Mainly though, it's just being back with my family that feels the best. Cooking for them, spending time with them are things I truly missed. At first it took some time for Freja to adjust after my long absence but things are returning to our version of "normal." She also loves school, which I am now trying to figure out how to interact with.



I'll try to post more often and will catch up on some of the back story soon...

Waiting for Godot, the Lutz version

It's been a while since I've written anything. Trying to get our old house done so I can be with my family again means no time for processing and writing. Also, around Halloween, the ghosts can get to you a bit.

I did get to go spend some time over the spooky weekend with my family. Teri made a red-kneed tarantula, costume for her. I was amazed! I knew she could sew, but this was amazing! I didn't see it finished, so only have this one shot of it just before it was done.



Now I have an idea for a giant "Ron Troll" costume...



I've been thinking about my life with the two of them almost constantly. It's hard to believe that I've been so fortunate in meeting Teri, becoming her husband and raising a child with her. As I work on the house I'm always trying to focus on the fact I'll be with them soon; and not so much on the memories of living here. Which can hit me hard sometimes.

Take today for instance. Painting the trim in the bathroom I suddenly recalled the time Teri I took a special photo of ourselves. She'd just taken a pregnancy test we'd bought on our way home from spending Easter at my father's. It was one of the most bizarre drives we've had. Suddenly, after eating enough radishes to make her glow, she'd begun to uncontrollably belch out a demon stank worse than anything that ever came out a troll's arse. I'm not exaggerating. So as not to torment my family we left immediately. Even before we drove away, her window cracked, face pressed against the opening trailing a cloud of ichorous wrath, we both had a feeling as to the cause.

Anyway, she tried oh so nonchalantly to call me in to see the EPT test results.



I can't even begin to describe how much I miss being with my wife & daughter.

Short Break from Blog

I couldn't take it anymore. After two weeks without my wife and daughter I had to see them. Yesterday I loaded up the car and headed to Wisconsin. The only internet connection I have until friday is my Droid, so there will be no new posts until then. All I have time to say now is how good it is to be with them. Freja has changed a LOT. She also has a bad cold, so I kept her home with me... I never thought I'd be so happy she has a runny nose!

How I Met Teri - Part 4 - Finding Solace

I know my shooting bull riders, then getting bronchitis, followed by being told I only had 6 months might seem like an odd introduction on how I met my wife, but it's the truth. I was sick. While I'd recovered quickly from the bronchitis, it seemed my end was neigh.



Working at the museum seemed more pointless than ever, both my parents were all gloom and doom. Of course they tried to keep me from worrying. What surprised me was how little worrying I actual did. Now that I'm a parent myself, I understand a little more about how they felt.

I also had no serous "love interests" having recently found a need to not actually want one. One friend I did have though, and this is going to sound ridiculous, was Pellé my cat. He just died today. I'd thought he might be 22, but now I realize he's actually 20.


RIP my friend. 1991 - 2011




I also made it point to drive out to what I jokingly called the "provinces." One of my best friends, and also a former coworker at the Carnegie, owned a coffee shop/art gallery called DV8 Espresso Bar & Gallery. Even during these visits they would ask me if I'd "meet their friend Teri." She was supposed to be my "perfect match" according to my friend Mark's wife, also named Terrie. They just wouldn't let up...



I just went fishing with my father more. I'd enough of trying to be in relationships. My experiences as a bachelor had taught me some lessons. Maybe that's where I'll jump track here a little and try to explain it. Later maybe...

Involved Alright!!

My wife just pointed out that my previous two posts made it seem like she wasn't involved in the raising of our daughter to this point. Nothing is further from the truth! When my wife is home from work, she is completely involved. In fact, when she is home I get little time with Freja as she all she wants to do is be with mommy!



While Teri did work a lot of crazy hours, one week for instance she put in around 90 hours, when she was home, she truly was home. Her commitment to our family, and how loving and nurturing she is are part of the reason I'd married her. I can't think of anyone better suited to be a parent. As I write this I miss her so terribly much and cannot wait to finish with our old house!

Also, she says the frogs were her idea. I'm sure she's right. My memory isn't always as accurate as it should be!